Warzycha: '(Gaven) Is A Special Player'

As both an assistant and head coach, Robert Warzycha was on the sideline for every single game of Eddie Gaven's Crew career – all 230 of them, spread across eight seasons and multiple competitions.

It's hard to fathom that when the Crew takes the field next season, neither player will be in uniform on the field or on the bench. After Gaven stunned the soccer world with his decision to retire at age 27, Warzycha described his former player as a special person.

"He's a special player and a special person," he told The Dispatch. "He's somebody that never complains. He's somebody that never takes a shortcut. He's somebody that is enjoying every single day when he's on the field. He's enjoying every single day that he wakes up in the morning because he's so positive. I wish that he could spread the happiness and enjoyment to more people, to be honest with you."

As both an assistant and head coach, Robert Warzycha was on the sideline for every single game of Eddie Gaven’s Crew career – all 230 of them, spread across eight seasons and multiple competitions.

It’s hard to fathom that when the Crew takes the field next season, neither player will be in uniform on the field or on the bench. After Gaven stunned the soccer world with his decision to retire at age 27, Warzycha described his former player as a special person.

“He’s a special player and a special person,” he told The Dispatch. “He’s somebody that never complains. He’s somebody that never takes a shortcut. He’s somebody that is enjoying every single day when he’s on the field. He’s enjoying every single day that he wakes up in the morning because he’s so positive. I wish that more people had that kind of happiness and enjoyment, to be honest with you.”

After taking a pay cut while signing a contract extension with the Crew after the 2011 season, Gaven set a career high with nine goals in 2012 before losing most of 2013 to a knee injury. Rehabilitation was going well by all accounts, but Gaven said in a statement that the injury had nothing to do with the injury.

Instead, Gaven is following his own path, wherever that might lead him. And although Warzycha is confident that Gaven will be fine, it’s hard not to wonder what might have been ahead for the midfielder.

“He was really an inspiration for all of us,” Warzycha said. “It is really, really sad not only for the Columbus Crew and the fans and for U.S. Soccer if Eddie decides not to play anymore, but I know that he’s thought about his decision. He’s going to be fine whatever he wants to do. He has a passion for what he wants to do next and I’m sure he’s going to be successful.”

The fact that Gaven’s decision came on Halloween seemed fitting to Crew president and general manager Mark McCullers, who learned of the news this morning.

“It’s just the aura of Eddie Gaven,” he said. “He’s just so unique, so different, I don’t know. It’s just perfect that Eddie Gaven retires on Halloween at 27 years old. He marches to the beat of a different drummer. You can’t predict Eddie Gaven, so for him to go out like this is almost perfect for him.

“It doesn’t make it any less painful, but just from my perspective it’s like, ‘Yes, that’s Eddie Gaven.’ ”

McCullers said he had not spoken to Gaven, who said farewell to his teammates this morning at the team’s training facility in Obetz, but that they had traded emails. And although he is not sure what comes next for Gaven, McCullers said the former midfielder made it clear that his mind was made up.

Coupled with the decision to part ways with Matias Sanchez and Aaron Horton, the Crew has now cleared more than $500,000 of guaranteed compensation from its 2013 budget according to figures released by the players’ union.

I’ll get more into this in Sunday’s paper, but Gaven’s news significantly impacts what the Crew might be able to do this winter.

When Gaven went out with the knee injury, Justin Meram was his immediate replacement in the lineup. When he missed two games earlier in the season with an ankle injury, it was Ben Speas. Later on, Bernardo Anor held down the position and showed potential in the most extensive playing time of his career.

McCullers was quick to point out that there is no replacing a player like Gaven, although someone will have to try.

Warzycha knows that better than perhaps anyone.

“He never changed his game,” he said. “If he missed a shot or had a bad play, he was onto the next play, which is very difficult as a player. Some guys need 20, 30, 40 minutes to do that, but he was so strong he would just carry on.

“He’s very, very important not only for Columbus but for the young players. Hopefully he changes his mind.”